DNA maternity tests are not as common as their paternity counterparts, however circumstances exist where it is necessary to confirm that a biological relationship exists between a mother and a child. Working in the exact same way as a DNA paternity test, a maternity test will compare the DNA of the child’s to that of the alleged mother.
There are many reasons for one to need a maternity DNA test, ranging from proof of identity in adoption cases to confirming relationships in immigration cases.
In adoption cases, many adopted children grow up feeling the need to know the identity of their biological parents; be it to solve an identity crisis or simply to satisfy their curiosity. Depending on how available information is from adoption agencies, it can be tough to locate and confirm a birth parents identity, and in tough circumstances, a DNA maternity test can be the only way to prove a biological relationship exists.
In cases where a child is conceived through donor conception, it may be necessary, when the child grows up, for them to locate their birth parents. The reasons can be varied, from personal and emotional reasons, to medical reasons, in the instance of organ donation, where a match must be made between the recipient and the donor, and more often than not, these are best between biological relations.
Immigration departments are also using DNA maternity tests as part of the application process concerning visas and citizenship. The New Zealand Department of Immigration and Citizenship endorses DNA testing as one means of providing evidence of a claimed, biological, family relationship. Usually, other forms of evidence will suffice, such as birth certificates or family books; however, DNA testing is a useful option when other evidence is unreliable or unavailable.
Previously, immigration applications have been very slow to process, but thanks to DNA tests now confirming a relationship with scientific certainty, they can be completed faster and more accurately.
What Does The Test Involve?
The test would be conducted by examining 16 different DNA markers in the DNA of each person participating in the test. We all have a pair of each of these markers, one being inherited from the biological mother and one being inherited from the biological father. The test would then make comparisons of these markers between the mother and the child. A child’s markers are made up of 50% from its mother and 50% from its father.
It is possible to conduct a maternity test without a DNA sample from the father, and in his absence a laboratory will test the same 16 markers in order to reach an acceptable level of certainty about the relationship. A laboratory will not report a result unless there is at least a 99% probability that the possible mother is or isn’t the biological mother of the child.
easyDNA specialize in the provision of reliable, accurate and confidential DNA tests including DNA Paternity Testing , DNA Relationship Testing and DNA Forensic Testing to both the private and public sector. Our testing is accredited with ISO17025 for your assurance and peace of mind. To contact us with further questions please email info@easydna.net
